Blade - Unbound

Before dawn had even broken, the courtyard gate was kicked open with a violent crash.

Li Yan jolted awake. He snatched his blade, and was just about to leap out through the window when his expression changed. He immediately ducked under the window.

Using the tip of his blade to carefully lift the window open a crack, he saw shadowy figures already standing on the courtyard wall. They had bows drawn and arrows nocked, aiming at the rooms below.

These men were from the Military Surveillance Department.

Li Yan frowned deeply, What are these black-clad hounds doing here?

From another room, Sha Lifei bellowed through the window, "Who are you people? State your affiliation!"

Unlike Li Yan, he possessed no supernatural abilities. In the pitch-black darkness, he couldn't tell that the men outside belonged to the Military Surveillance Department.

A cold voice rang out. "We're from the Military Surveillance Department, conducting a search for rebel conspirators!"

A man stepped through the gate. He was tall and lean, with a dark, weathered face, sinister eyes, and a long spear in his hand. "I'll count to three. If you don't come out by then, you'll be killed without mercy!"

Killed without mercy?

A savage gleam flashed through Li Yan's eyes as his hand closed around his Summoning Writ. Before the man could begin counting, chaotic footsteps echoed from the alley outside.

Torches blazed to life, accompanied by an angry shout. "Feng Han! What are you doing?!"

The new voice belonged to Guan Wanche.

Hearing his voice, Li Yan relaxed slightly. Starting a fight with the Military Surveillance Department in Chang'an would be a massive headache. Though he could use the Five Yin Ghost Battalions to break out, he would undoubtedly become a wanted fugitive afterward.

If Guan Wanche was present, there was at least room to negotiate. Still, judging by the exchange between the two groups of Military Surveillance Department officers, they clearly weren't on good terms.

Li Yan could only wonder, What exactly had happened?

Meanwhile, Guan Wanche’s contingent of Military Surveillance Department officers surrounded the courtyard with a second perimeter.

Fixing his gaze on the spearman, he said coldly, "Feng Han, your unit is responsible for the itinerant martial artists in the city. Don't overstep your authority."

Feng Han merely glanced at him indifferently. "The item has gone missing. This is no trivial matter. How could I possibly stand by and do nothing? Besides, I carry Commander Guo's written authorization. Naturally, every lead must be investigated thoroughly."

"Investigated thoroughly?" Guan Wanche let out a cold laugh. "I think you're trying to silence witnesses."

Feng Han's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "I'm merely carrying out my orders. I have no idea what Captain Guan is talking about."

Beside him stood an elderly man, his fingers forming a Yang Seal as his eyes slowly swept across the courtyard. After a moment, he released the seal, stepped forward, and quietly reported, "Captain, the target isn't here."

Feng Han snorted. "Hmph. We're leaving."

Without another word, he gestured sharply and departed with his men. As they crossed paths with Guan Wanche's contingent outside the courtyard, both sides glared at one another, their hostility as irreconcilable as fire and water.

When Feng Han reached Guan Wanche, he suddenly stopped. "Captain Guan, this matter is far too serious. Neither you nor the man above you can shoulder the responsibility. A wise man recognizes the situation."

Guan Wanche replied icily, "Feng Han, you're being far too impatient."

Feng Han turned and walked away, leaving behind a sneer. "Hahaha..."

Only after the group had left did Guan Wanche stride into the courtyard. "I know you're all awake. Come out."

Li Yan and the others emerged one after another, exchanging puzzled looks. Sha Lifei wanted to complain, but seeing the murderous look in Guan Wanche's eyes, he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Li Yan asked, "Captain Guan, what happened?"

Instead of answering, Guan Wanche asked a question of his own. "Yesterday, Feng Feiyan, the manager of Phoenix Descent Inn, came looking for you. What did she say?"

It's related to Feng Feiyan?

Li Yan was surprised, but his expression remained calm. He replied nonchalantly, "She was simply making New Year visits. She didn't stay long before leaving."

Woof! Woof! Woof!

Just then, one of Guan Wanche's fierce hounds, led by its handler, sniffed around the courtyard before suddenly barking furiously at Sha Lifei's room.

Guan Wanche's gaze immediately sharpened. He didn't wait for an explanation as he simply gave the order. "Search!"

Before the order had fully left his mouth, several Banner Officers rushed forward, shoved Sha Lifei aside, and stormed into the room to search it.

Li Yan's heart sank.

This is bad.

Moments later, the officers emerged carrying a paper figure, which they tossed into the courtyard.

"Report! We found a Firework Puppet."

"Mhm." Guan Wanche frowned slightly before turning to Sha Lifei. "What are you doing with this?"

Sha Lifei forced an awkward smile. "The Lantern Festival's almost here. I thought it would liven things up if I set one of these off."

Guan Wanche cursed, "Hmph. You're hopeless."

However, much of the killing intent in his eyes faded.

Turning back to Li Yan, he continued, "Did Feng Feiyan come back afterward?"

"No."

Guan Wanche continued his interrogation, "What exactly did she say?"

"Just the usual New Year's greetings. Captain Guan... What happened?"

But Guan Wanche answered coldly, "It's none of your concern."

He waved his hand and started to leave with his men, but after walking several steps, he suddenly stopped. After a brief hesitation, he said in a deep voice, "Something major has happened within the Military Surveillance Department. Chang'an is unlikely to remain peaceful from this point onward. Since we have a history together, and since you also know Feng Feiyan, be careful in everything you do. Don't let yourselves become someone else's pawn."

With that, he turned and departed. Silence once again settled over the courtyard as the three men exchanged confused glances.

Sha Lifei cursed, "Damn it. That was completely out of nowhere. Did those black-skinned hounds swallow gunpowder or something?"

Li Yan's gaze flickered, and he said softly, "Stand guard for me."

He immediately formed a hand seal, gently hooking his little finger.

Rustle...

A straw effigy instantly rose into the air and shot into the night sky. Carried by the wind, it flew with astonishing speed. Since it was formed primarily from divine astral qi rather than yin killing qi, and because Li Yan's cultivation had grown considerably stronger, it didn't take long for it to catch up with Guan Wanche's group.

The tiny effigy concealed itself among the leaves of a roadside tree.

A soldier asked, "My lord, what should we do?"

Guan Wanche snorted. "Hmph. They're looking for Feng Feiyan. They probably failed to silence her and are afraid the truth will leak out. The key lies with that Divine Fire Arquebus. As long as we can recover it before the Imperial Court launches a full investigation, there may still be room to salvage the situation.

“The person leading them last night was Bai Ruoxu, the Hall Master of the Broker Guild. He's also a member of the Maitreya Sect. Use your underworld connections to find out whether he's still hiding somewhere inside the city. I'll personally lead a team outside the city to search."

"Yes, my lord!"

Guan Wanche was clearly in a great hurry. After issuing his orders, he snapped his reins and galloped away with his men.

Once they were gone, the straw effigy perched in the tree ignited on its own, crumbling into drifting ashes.

Back in the courtyard, Li Yan let his hand seal fall and shook his head slightly. "The Military Surveillance Department's firearms have been stolen. The ones responsible are the Maitreya Sect, and that Broker Guild's Hall Master, Bai Ruoxu, is one of them as well. Feng Feiyan has probably become a pawn in the power struggle between the two factions within the Military Surveillance Department. Whether she's alive or dead is anyone's guess, and no one knows where she's fled to."

"Sssss!" Sha Lifei sucked in a sharp breath. "This is a disaster of the highest order. The Imperial Court places enormous importance on these new firearms. Once they discover they've been stolen, they'll certainly launch a massive investigation. Chang'an's about to descend into chaos."

He turned to Wang Daoxuan with a helpless look before asking, "Come on, Daoist. Didn't you say this year would be smooth sailing? Why's everything falling apart again?"

Wang Daoxuan sighed. "I'm not some genuine immortal fortune-teller. The hexagrams really did indicate that. Besides, every omen carries both fortune and misfortune. It's never so easy to interpret."

"Enough of that." Li Yan looked into the distance and said gravely, "The stolen firearms have nothing to do with us, but after this incident, the struggle between the two factions of the Military Surveillance Department will probably move into the open. Since we know both Guan Wanche and Feng Feiyan, it's only a matter of time before someone uses us as pawns and drags us into it.

"And Bai Ruoxu, that bastard, is actually a member of the Maitreya Sect. Thinking back on it now, he probably had ulterior motives from the very beginning when he lured us to Xiangji Temple.

"We can't stay in Chang'an any longer. Uncle Sha, you and Daoist Wang should pack your things. Once it's daylight, leave the city and find somewhere outside Chang'an to lie low. Wait there for my message."

Sha Lifei immediately grew anxious. He couldn't help but ask, "What about you? You're staying?"

Li Yan shook his head. "I already gave Senior Wan my word about the Drum King Assembly. I can't go back on it. Besides, securing a place at Mount Hua is extremely important to us. Both factions of the Military Surveillance Department are completely consumed with this matter right now. As long as I keep myself hidden, they won't have time to bother with me. Once the Lantern Festival is over and I've secured our qualification, I'll leave immediately for Mount Hua.

"After we buy the ritual artifact, we can always hide out in another prefecture for a while."

Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan both sighed. "... Very well."

Things had reached this point. There was nothing to do except follow Li Yan's plan.

The three of them immediately packed their belongings. At first light, Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan disguised themselves as traveling merchants, shouldered their luggage, and quietly slipped out of Chang'an with the morning crowd.

Li Yan remained behind for a moment, turning to look at the now-empty courtyard. After a slight shake of his head, he locked the gate, slung his pack over his shoulder, and departed.

His first destination was Lanting Street. Vaulting over the side courtyard wall, he entered the Li residence and informed the awakened Madam Li and Li Kongqing of what had happened.

Naturally, he omitted any mention of the stolen firearms, simply explaining that infighting had broken out within the Military Surveillance Department and that they feared being caught in the middle, leaving them no choice but to leave.

"This truly is a disaster falling from the heavens." Li Kongqing shook his head helplessly. "The heir has been very interested in the Drum King Assembly. I heard that you and the cultivators from Shanzhou had formed a team. He was even planning to meet you in person and offer some encouragement."

Li Yan pondered for a moment before he replied, "I'm afraid the Lantern Festival itself may be dangerous. It would be best if none of you leave the residence that day. Brother Kongqing, please try to persuade the heir as well.

"The city will only truly become peaceful after the coffin at the City God Temple is transported out of Chang'an, and after the struggle within the Military Surveillance Department has been settled. That's all I have to say. Master... take care."

He bowed deeply to Madam Li.

Madam Li could only sigh. "Such is life in the jianghu. So many things lie beyond one's control. You must be careful."

"Yes, Master."

After leaving the Li residence, Li Yan noticed that the number of soldiers patrolling the streets had increased significantly. His gaze flickered once. Adjusting the pack on his back, he slipped into a narrow alley.

***

Within a grand estate in Changle Street.

"One, two, three... lift!" At Guo Luquan's shout, forty to fifty burly men heaved together, raising three towering Divine Towers off the ground.

"On my command, forward!"

"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"

With another thunderous shout from Guo Luquan, the men began chanting in rhythm as they slowly carried the towering structures forward.

"Halt!"

At a single command, everyone planted their feet firmly and froze in place without the slightest movement.

They were all laborers from the Porter Guild, each blessed with tremendous strength. Though they couldn't compare to genuine professional pole carriers, they moved with remarkable coordination and discipline under Guo Luquan's guidance.

At the same time, the drum troupe behind them pushed forward rows of massive war drums. The booming rhythm echoed continuously, perfectly matching the pace of the procession.

Off to one side, Shopkeeper Wan looked down at the note in his hand and shook his head slightly. "Everyone, Brother Li has urgent business to attend to. He'll join us on the day of the Lantern Festival itself. Let's continue rehearsing in the meantime."

"The city's really unsettled today. Where did he go?"

"Why worry about that? Let's keep practicing."

***

In Pingkang Ward, Jinbao Gambling House had already been sealed off. Teams of Military Surveillance Department officers, accompanied by constables of the courthouse, were turning the entire gambling house upside down in their search.

"Report! We've found a secret passage!"

"Search it!"

From a distant upstairs window in Qingyuan Pavilion, Zhao Wanfang withdrew her gaze before turning toward Li Yan, who was devouring his meal ravenously.

Smiling sweetly, she teased, "So... are you planning to stay at a brothel from now on?"

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